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Ayurvedic Management of Kidney Stones

Kidney Stones are the condition characterized by the formation of stones in the kidneys, which brings about problems in the urinary system i.e. painful urination, obstruction in urination even may lead to the passage of blood in the urine. Different terms are used to indicate kidney stones such as nephrolithiasis, renal calculi, kidney stone, etc

Kidney stone is called as ‘Ashmari’ in Ayurveda. Ashmari is a Sanskrit term comprises of two words ‘Ashma ’which means a stone and ‘Ari’ means an enemy. Ashmari is a disease in which there is a formation of stone, exerting severe pain as given by the enemy.

Causes of Kidney Stones:

According to modern medicine, Kidney stones often have no definite, single cause, although several factors may increase your risk. Such as:

  • Metabolic
  • Lifestyle
  • Genetic Factors
  • Drugs

According to Ayurvedic text,

  • Intake of incompatible foods (Viruddhahara )
  • Kapha Vardhak Ahara and Viharas
  • No regular purification of the body for a long period of time.

Types:

As per the Ayurvedic classical texts, Ashmari are of following types:

  1. Vataj Ashmari: Uric acid stone- caused by food and activities which vitiates vata  dosha.
  2. Pittaj Ashmari: Calcium oxalate stone- caused by food and activities which vitiates pitta dosha.
  3. Sukraj Ashmari: Calcium phosphate stone- Here Sukra means Semen and by suppression of sexual urge leads to the formation of stone.

Symptoms:

  1. Excruciating pain over Nabhi (Navel), Basti (Bladder), at sevani or at medra (penis) during micturition.
  2. Severe, sharp pain in the side and back, below the ribs
  3. Pain that radiates to the lower abdomen and groin
  4. Pain that comes in waves and fluctuates in intensity
  5. Pain or burning sensation while urinating

Other signs and symptoms may include:

  1. Pink, red or brown urine
  2. Cloudy or foul-smelling urine
  3. A persistent need to urinate, urinating more often than usual or urinating in small amounts
  4. Nausea and vomiting
  5. Fever and chills if an infection is present

Ayurvedic management of Kidney Stone:

  1. Purificatory measures:
  2. Swedana (Steaming and other healing procedures): Swedana is the process of inducing sweat with the help of steam, generated from medicated herbal decoctions by vatahar drugs.. In Pitta’s predominant conditions, steaming should not be done.

  • Vasti (Enema)
    a.  Anuvsana Vasti: It is a type of enema where medicated oil is administered through anus. It nourishes & cleanses the intestine.

b. Niruha vasti: It is non-oil based enema, mainly of herbs preparation. It also pacifies & cleanses toxins from the body by the properties of herbal medicine, thus healing the body.

  • Virechana (Medicated purgation)– This helps to eliminate blockage of pathways of Vatha humor and alleviates Pitha predominant symptoms.

  • Uttar vasti (Enema through urethral route): This is different from common vasti in the way of administration, quantity and in ingredients.

  • Nidana parivarjana  (Avoidance of cause)

Causes such as:

  • Ativyayama (excessive physical work or exercise)
  • Adhyasana (taking meal before completion of digestion of previous meal),
  • having heavy  diets, suppression of micturition and defecation,
  • ground water containing excessive minerals

these should be avoided.

  • Calcium oxalate calculi: Spinach, Cashew nuts, cucumber, Asparagus, Plums, Strawberry, Black Grapes, tomatoes.
  • Uric acid calculi: Red meat, liver, and fish are rich in purine.
  • Pacifying measures:
  • Increase intake of water.
  • Mutrala drugs (Diuretics)  such as Punarnava (B.diffusa), Gokshura, Ikshu, kankola etc can be to increase the production and flow of urine.

Ayurvedic herbal preparations:

  • Chandraprava vati
  • Gokshuradi guggulu
  • Arogya vardhani vati
  • Pashanveda churna
  • Gokshuradi churna
  • Shigru churna
  • Varunadi kwath
  • Kulathadha ghrita
  • Varunadha ghrita

Yoga and pranayama:

  • Ushtra Asana (Camel pose)
  • Uttanpadasana
  • Pawanmukta Asana
  • Bhujanga Asana

Pranayama

  • Anulom vilom
  • Kapalbhati

Advice:

  • Hydration:  Drink up to 3 liters of fluid per day (14 cups)
  • Water Lemonade (citrate decreases stone formation)
  • Diet: Low sodium
  • Maintain amounts of oxalate Low protein
  • Exercise/Increase Activity